hone rang. It was my mo

n trouble, real trouble

practically raised after our par

ding minor scrapes, bu

ed, my own anxieties m

they're talking about assault charges, Ellie

f, the unspoken plea

rc

I wanted to as

, and Mom was already

study, on a video ca

, finishing his call with

sked, not looking

ation, my voice tight w

l, unreadable smile

y? Not good for

air. "I can make a call,

ways a 'but'

t w

e on set the other day. She felt you wer

. Unprofessional? Jealous?

re' s a gala next week. I want you there, by my side. And I

pologize to her? For

' s insane. I

o can take his chances

't refuse. For L

the gala wa

ad picked out, feeling

king up the attention,

speeches, Marcus le

oice smooth as silk. "Ellie has s

I could feel the fl

.. I apologize if my behavior on set cause

sted like as

smirk. "Apology accepted, Ellie. Though, do

patting my ar

anything to numb

ss of champagn

started

intensified, and a wave

estroom before I was sick

against the poison of his cruel

me there, pal

ie," he hissed, his eyes col

he next day. The charges w

word, a transac

always, was